Greenpeace activists hung a banner across the arms of the Christ statue on Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro to protest against the world leaders' failure to secure the future of the planet.
Greenpeace activists hung the banner "RIO+10 = 2nd CHANCE?"
across the arms of the Christ the Redeemer (on Corcovado) in Rio de
Janeiro today to protest against the world leaders' failure to
secure the future of the planet. The Earth Summit, held in
Johannesburg, South Africa, ended yesterday.
"The outcome of the energy negotiations epitomises the failure
of world governments to ensure a clean and sustainable future for
the next generations. Governments did nothing to ensure that two
billion people that live without electricity have access to clean,
renewable energy," said Marcelo Furtado, of Greenpeace. "The final
text of this negotiation is the most evident icon against
sustainability."
The Brazilian proposal, calling for a target of 10% renewables
by 2010, was blocked by the United States, Japan and the member
countries of OPEC (1). Instead, the final text contains no targets
or timetables for the implementation of clean energy that would
allow development while protecting the climate. Additionally, the
text promotes large-scale hydro projects and transference of fossil
fuel technologies to developing countries, and does not exclude the
possibility of nuclear energy projects.
"Humanity cannot remain silent after the failure of Rio+10. We
should all question the governments that killed Brazil's proposal
as well as the targets and timelines for implementation of clean,
renewable energy. Powerful oil exporters and consumers are frying
our future and the oil industry is behind it, using greenwash to
hide its dirty and extremely dangerous games," said Frank
Guggenheim, executive director from Greenpeace Brazil. "What's
worse, governments are letting them get away with it and in fact,
globally, subsidise the fossil fuel and nuclear industries to the
tune of 250-300 billion USD per year [Source: International Energy
Agency]."
As part of today's protests, Greenpeace activists will deliver
the "mortal remains" of the Johannesburg Earth Summit to those
responsible for the Summit's failure: the worlds multinational
fossil fuel corporations gathered at the World Petroleum Congress
in Rio, the city which hosted the first Earth Summit ten years
ago.
Greenpeace will continue to press world governments to create
the necessary conditions to implement clean and sustainable energy
and to guarantee a safe future, free from environmental
devastation.
VVPR info: Greenpeace International Photo Desk, Franca Michienzi,+31(0)653819255
Notes: (1) OPEC, Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is integrated by Algeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar and Venezuela.